A demarcation installation having two main connectors

ABSTRACT

The disclosure relates to a demarcation installation comprising a first main connector configured to connect together, first, second, third, and fourth connection elements, a second main connector configured to connect together fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth connection elements, a first bow and a second bow respectively including a first fastening portion and a second fastening portion, a first secondary connector configured to connect together the first and sixth connection elements and the first bow, a second secondary connector configured to connect together the second and fifth connection elements and the second bow, and a link extending between said fastening portions, the first and second main connectors extending on either side of a vertical plane containing the link.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to the field of sports equipment for use on a playing area, and in particular for racket sports.

The disclosure relates more precisely to a demarcation installation that is to be deployed on the ground so as to define two playing areas.

Its main application lies in playing racket sports outdoors, in particular in gardens or in parks in urban areas, where users rarely possess a garden enabling a racket sport to be played.

The demarcation installation of the disclosure must be transported easily and must be set up and taken down quickly, while nevertheless being sufficiently stable to ensure that the sport can be played comfortably on ground that is not smooth or outdoors in the presence of a light breeze.

Removable demarcation installations are known, such as that described in Document EP 0 595 815, made up two uprights with a net extending between them. The uprights are respectively connected to two connectors extending substantially in the same plane as the net. Two leg members extend on either side of each of the connectors in order to hold the installation on the ground.

One drawback is that that type of installation is particularly bulky in its in-use position because of the leg members extending transversely to the plane of the net, from the ends of the net.

Furthermore, the leg members need to be particularly solid in order to support the installation as a whole. As a result, the weight of the installation is particularly great, which makes it difficult to transport, once folded up.

Furthermore, that type of installation is generally found to be too expensive.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

An object of the present disclosure is to propose a demarcation installation for playing areas that remedy the above-mentioned drawbacks. A particular object of the disclosure is to reduce the bulk of the installation and its fabrication costs. The demarcation installation must also present great stability in order to enable the sport to be played on ground that is not smooth or outdoors in the presence of a light breeze.

To do this, the disclosure provides a demarcation installation for demarcating two playing areas, the installation comprising:

-   -   a first main connector configured to connect together, first,         second, third, and fourth connection elements;     -   a second main connector configured to connect together fifth,         sixth, seventh, and eighth connection elements;     -   a first bow and a second bow respectively including a first         fastening portion and a second fastening portion;     -   a first secondary connector configured to connect together the         first connection element, the sixth connection element, and the         first bow;     -   a second secondary connector configured to connect together the         second connection element, the fifth connection element, and the         second bow; and     -   a link extending above the ground between said fastening         portions of the first and second bows; the first and second main         connectors extending on either side of a vertical plane         containing the link.

The main and secondary connectors serve to connect together the connection elements and the bows in releasable manner. The installation of the disclosure can thus be placed in a deployed position in which it rests on the ground and enables a racket sport to be played, and a folded position in which it can be stowed and moved easily.

In non-limiting manner, in order to place the installation in the deployed position, the user connects the connection elements to the associated main connectors. The user then connects together the first and sixth connection elements and connects them with the first bow by means of the first secondary connector. The user also connects together the second and fifth connection elements and connects them with the second bow by means of the second secondary connector. The assembly constituted by the connection elements and by the main and secondary connectors constitutes a base configured to support the two bows. The user can then set up the link between the fastening portions of the first and second bows.

The first and second bows are flexible, such that fastening the link to the fastening portions of the bows serves to put the bows and link simultaneously under tension, thereby deploying the installation on the ground. The bows are thus kept under tension in an arcuate position towards the sky by means of the link. Conversely, the bows keep the link under tension substantially horizontally between the two fastening portions. The demarcation installation of the disclosure can thus be installed very quickly without specific tooling.

It can be understood that the plane containing the link is vertical when the installation is placed in the deployed position and is resting on the ground. An advantage of this configuration is to improve the stability of the installation, considered in a direction extending transversely to said plane.

In addition, it is possible in a variant to envisage that one or more connection elements extend from one of the main connectors so as to rest on the ground in order to form a stand serving to support the installation. In this variant, the main connectors strengthen the installation transversely and enable its stability to be improved.

The connection elements are rigid.

The main connectors extend on either side of the vertical plane containing the link, and the lateral footprint of the installation as considered in this plane is particularly small.

The first and second main connectors extend on either side of said vertical plane containing the link, in a manner that is symmetrical relative to the plane. This symmetry serves to improve the equilibrium and thus the stability of the installation.

In order to place the installation in the folded position, the user releases the link, disconnects the bows from the secondary connectors, and disconnects the connection elements from the main and secondary connectors. Each of the connection elements can thus be separated and stowed independently, so as to improve the compactness of the installation once folded. In non-limiting manner, the connection elements and the connectors may be placed in a stowage bag in order to be transported.

The first and second main connectors are configured to rest on the ground, whereby these connectors constitute points of contact for the installation with the ground that are arranged on either side of the vertical plane containing the link. These connectors prevent the installation from tilting in a direction extending transversely to said plane, e.g. when a user strikes the installation. The transverse stability of the installation is thus improved.

The connection elements are substantially identical. In this way, all of the connection elements present substantially the same dimensions. One advantage is to enable a single mold to be used for fabricating all of the connection elements, thereby reducing fabrication costs. In addition, the connection elements can be interchanged in any way, thereby facilitating setting up and deploying the installation.

Advantageously, the third, fourth, seventh, and eighth connection elements are configured to rest on the ground. An advantage is that these connection elements form a stand enabling the installation to be supported and stabilized. In non-limiting manner, these connection elements resting on the ground may be ballasted or fastened to the ground by means of tent pegs possibly U-shaped pegs, so as to further improve the stability of the installation of the disclosure.

Advantageously, the third, fourth, seventh, and eighth connection elements are rods, each having at least a first end.

These rods are of transverse dimensions that are considerably smaller than their lengths. In non-limiting manner, they may be made of fiberglass or of plastics material.

In an advantageous variant, the first ends of the fourth and seventh connection elements are connected together by a first connection part and the first ends of the third and eighth connection elements are connected together by a second connection part.

Consequently, in this variant, the third connection element extends between the first main connector and the second connection part. The fourth connection element extends between the first main connector and the first connection part. The seventh connection element extends between the second main connector and the first connection part. The eighth connection element extends between the second main connector and the second connection part. These third, fourth, seventh, and eighth connection elements, and also the two main connectors and the two connection parts together form a closed structure.

The vertical plane containing the link also contains the first and second connection parts. Advantageously, but in non-limiting manner, the vertical plane containing the link constitutes a plane of symmetry for the installation, thereby strengthening the equilibrium of said installation.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the third connection element and the seventh connection element are substantially parallel, and the fourth and eighth connection elements are substantially parallel. Thus, the third, fourth, seventh, and eighth connection elements form a parallelogram. In addition, when they are resting on the ground in order to form a stand, these connection elements arranged in a parallelogram increase the equilibrium of the installation and prevent it from tilting in either direction.

In a particularly advantageous aspect of the disclosure, the first, second, fifth, and sixth connection elements slope relative to a plane containing the third and seventh connection elements. Advantageously, this plane containing the third and seventh connection elements is substantially horizontal when the installation is placed in its deployed position, such that the first, second, fifth, and sixth connection elements slope upwards relative to the horizontal. The first and sixth connection elements constitute support means for the first bow and the second and fifth connection elements constitute the support means for the second bow.

The first, second, fifth, and sixth connection elements slope relative to said plane at an angle lying in the range 15° to 45°. This angle of inclination is selected in such a manner as to place the link at a height that is appropriate for playing the racket sport. This angle of inclination is selected in particular as a function of the length of the bows.

Advantageously, the first main connector has a first top opening, a second top opening, a first bottom opening, and a second bottom opening configured to receive the first, second, third, and fourth connection elements respectively.

Advantageously, the second main connector has a first top opening, a second top opening, a first bottom opening, and a second bottom opening configured to receive the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth connection elements respectively. Thus, by inserting a connection element in an opening in one of the main connectors, said connection element is secured to said connector. The angle of inclination of the opening determines the angle of inclination of the connection element inserted in said opening.

For example, the angle of inclination between the top first opening and the bottom second opening of the first main connector is the same as the angle of inclination between the first connection element and the fourth connection element. Likewise, the angle of inclination between the top second opening and the bottom first opening of the first main connector is the same as the angle of inclination between the second and third connection elements.

The terms “bottom” and “top” should be considered relative to a direction that is substantially vertical.

Advantageously, the bottom openings of the main connectors are arranged substantially horizontally such that the third, fourth, seventh, and eighth connection elements extend substantially in a horizontal plane. Furthermore, the top openings of the main connectors slope relative to the bottom openings, such that the first, second, fifth, and sixth connection elements slope relative to the horizontal.

The connection elements and the bows are connected to the main and secondary connectors in disconnectable manner. An advantage is to enable the installation to be deployed and folded up very easily, while increasing the compactness of the installation once folded.

The first secondary connector and the first and sixth connection elements are held to one another by first elastic means, enabling them to be kept together when they are disconnected, and the second secondary connector and the second and fifth connection elements are held to one another by second elastic means, enabling them to be kept together when they are disconnected. An advantage is to facilitate connecting the secondary connectors and the associated connection elements so as to simplify deployment of the installation. In addition, this makes it possible to avoid losing a connection element or a secondary connector while the installation is in its folded position. The operations of setting the installation up and taking it down are thus facilitated.

Advantageously, the first connection part and the fourth and seventh connection elements are held to one another by a first elastic member, enabling them to be kept together when they are disconnected, and the second connection part and the third and eighth connection elements are held to one another by a second elastic member, enabling them to be kept together when they are disconnected. Once more, an advantage is to facilitate setting up and taking down the installation.

The first, third, fourth, and eighth connection elements form a lozenge. It can be understood that the first, third, fourth, and seventh connection elements are then of the same length. An advantage in this configuration is that the vertical plane containing the link constitutes a plane of symmetry for the lozenge, such that the main connectors are arranged symmetrically relative to the plane. Once more, the equilibrium of the installation is strengthened. In addition, insofar as the distance between the main connectors and the vertical plane is relatively small, the first, third, fourth, and eighth connection elements extend only a little into the playing areas demarcated by the installation. The overall size of the installation in the deployed position is thus reduced.

The link is a net. The advantage is to make it convenient to play a racket sport and in particular to be certain whether the ball or the shuttlecock has indeed gone over the link.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure can be better understood on reading the following description of an embodiment of the disclosure given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a demarcation installation of the disclosure for demarcating two playing areas;

FIG. 2 shows a main connector of the FIG. 1 installation;

FIG. 3 shows a connection part of the FIG. 1 installation;

FIG. 4 shows the FIG. 1 installation in face view;

FIG. 5 shows the FIG. 1 installation in profile view; and

FIG. 6 shows the FIG. 1 installation in plan view from above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

FIG. 1 shows an example of a demarcation installation 100 of the disclosure for demarcating two areas for playing a sport, in particular a racket sport. Such an installation is particularly adapted to playing badminton outdoors. The installation may be placed in a deployed position in which it stands on the ground and enables the sport to be played, and a folded position in which it is stowed and can be moved. The installation has a base 2, a first bow 4, a second bow 6, and a link 8 extending between the two bows.

The base is made up of first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth connection elements 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80, together with a first main connector 102 and a second main connector 104, and with a first connection part 120 and a second connection part 122.

In this example, the connection elements are rods of the tent-pole type that may be made of fiberglass or of plastics material. These rods are substantially identical, such that their diameters and their lengths are similar. The first connection element 10 has a first end 10 a and a second end 10 b opposite from the first end. Likewise, each connection element has a first end and a second end opposite from the first end. For reasons of readability, these ends are not referenced in the figures.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the first main connector 102 and the second main connector 104 are configured to rest on the ground. In this non-limiting example, the first main connector 102 and the second main connector 104 are identical.

An example of a first main connector 102 is shown in FIG. 2. This main connector 102 is a molding comprising first, second, third, and fourth sleeves 106, 108, 110, and 112. Each of these sleeves has an axis. The axes of the sleeves meet at a connection point 114. The third and fourth sleeves 110 and 112 are configured to rest on the ground and they lie in a plane Q substantially parallel to the ground when the installation 100 is placed in the deployed position. With reference to said plane Q, the third and fourth sleeves 110 and 112 form an obtuse angle at a point coinciding with the connection point 114.

The first and fourth sleeves 106 and 112 are substantially coplanar in a first substantially vertical plane when the installation 100 is in the deployed position. In addition, with reference to said plane, the first sleeve 106 slopes relative to the fourth sleeve 112, and thus relative to the horizontal, in an outward direction at an angle α lying in the range 15° to 45°, and preferably in the range 25° to 35°.

Likewise, the second and third sleeves 108 and 110 are substantially coplanar, in a second substantially vertical plane when the installation 100 is in the deployed position. In addition, with reference to said plane, the third sleeve 108 slopes relative to the first sleeve 110, and thus relative to the horizontal, upwards at an angle β lying in the range 15° to 45°, and preferably in the range 25° to 35°.

A first top opening 102 a, a second top opening 102 b, a first bottom opening 102 c, and a second bottom opening 102 d are arranged respectively in the first, second, third, and fourth sleeves 106, 108, 110, and 112. These openings are configured to receive the second ends of the first, second, third, and fourth connection elements 10, 20, 30, and 40, respectively.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, in order to place the installation 100 in the deployed position, the user inserts the second ends of the connection elements in the corresponding openings of the main connectors 102 and 104.

In this example, since the connection elements are all identical and in the form of rods, they may be interchanged and turned round freely in order to be assembled to the main connectors in any direction. In this way, the user does not encounter any difficulty in connecting the connection elements to the main connectors and the installation can be set up easily.

In non-limiting manner, the first and second main connectors 102 and 104 are substantially identical such that they can likewise be interchanged freely. The second main connector 104 has the same characteristics as the first main connector 102, and is therefore not described in detail. The second main connector 104 also has a first top opening, a second top opening, a first bottom opening, and a second bottom opening, configured to receive the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth connection elements 50, 60, 70, and 80, respectively.

The slope of the first and second sleeves 106 and 108 relative to the fourth and third sleeves 112 and 110 of the first main connector 102 determines the angles of inclination of the first and second connection elements 10 and 20 relative to the horizontal. Thus, the second connection element 20 likewise slopes at an angle β lying in the range 15° to 45° relative to the third connection element 30 and relative to the horizontal plane Q. In the same manner, the first connection element 10 likewise slopes at an angle α lying in the range 15° to 45° relative to the fourth connection element 40 and relative to the horizontal plane Q.

In the same manner, the slopes of the first and second sleeves of the second main connector 104 determine the angle of inclination of the fifth and sixth connection elements 50 and 60 relative to the horizontal. Thus, the fifth connection element 50 likewise slopes at an angle lying in the range 15° to 45° relative to the eighth connection element 80. In the same manner, the sixth connection element 60 slopes at an angle lying in the range 15° to 45° relative to the seventh connection element 70.

Furthermore, an example connection part 120, 122 is shown in FIG. 3. This connection part comprises a first sleeve 126 and a second sleeve 128, each having a respective axis. The axes of these sleeves form an acute angle, substantially equal to 40°. A first opening 120 a and a second opening 120 b are arranged respectively in the first sleeve 126 and in the second sleeve 128. This connection part 120, 122 also has a third sleeve 129 opposite from the other two sleeves 126 and 128 with an axis lying on a bisector of the angle between the axes of the other two sleeves 126 and 128. A third opening 120 c is likewise formed in this third sleeve 129. The first and second openings 120 a and 120 b are configured to receive the first ends of respective connection elements. The first connection part 120 and the second connection part 122 are substantially identical.

With reference once more to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the first connection part 120 connects together the fourth and seventh connection elements 40 and 70. The second connection part 122 connects together the third and eighth connection elements 30 and 80. These connection parts 120 and 122 are configured to rest on the ground.

In this example, the third, fourth, seventh, and eighth connection elements 30, 40, 70, and 80 are coplanar in the plane Q and they rest on the ground so as to form a substantially horizontal stand. In addition, the main connectors 102, 104 and the connection parts 120, 122 are configured so that the third connection element 30 is substantially parallel to the seventh connection element 70 and the fourth connection element 40 is substantially parallel to the eighth connection element 80. In addition, and in non-limiting manner, the set of four connection elements acts as a lozenge-shaped stand. These connection elements provide the installation with stability.

Furthermore, the installation also has first and second secondary connectors 130 and 132 for connecting the bows 4 and 6 to the base 2. In this non-limiting element, the secondary connectors 130 and 132 are substantially identical to the first and second connection parts 120 and 122, and likewise comprise three sleeves, each having a respective axis, with openings being formed therein. The secondary connectors thus likewise have three openings.

The first secondary connector 130 connects together the first connection element 10, the sixth connection element 60, and the first bow 4. In particular, the first end 41 of the first bow 4 is inserted into the third opening of the first secondary connector. The second secondary connector 132 connects together the second connection element 20, the fifth element 50, and the second bow 6. Likewise, a first end 61 of the second bow 6 is inserted in the third opening of the second secondary connector 132.

FIG. 4 is a face view of the installation of the disclosure. In this figure, it can be seen that the two bows 4 and 6 are spaced apart, sloping towards each other and extending upwards from the first and second secondary connectors 130 and 132. The first and second bows 4 and 6 include respectively a first fixing portion 138 and a second fixing portion 140.

In this non-limiting example, the first bow 4 and the second bow 6 are each constituted by a bottom segment 4 a, 6 a, and a top segment 4 b, 6 b that are connected together by connection means 11, 13.

Furthermore, the link 8 extends between the two bows 4, 6 and more precisely between the two fastening portions 138 and 140. These fastening portions are situated at the free ends 42 and 62 of the bows 4 and 6 remote from the first ends 41, 61 of the bows. In non-limiting manner, the fastening may be performed by inserting the free ends 42 and 61 of the bows 4 and 6 into pockets 142 and 144 arranged at opposite ends of the link 8.

In this example, the link 8 is a net that extends between the two fastening portions 138 and 140. The net 8 holds the two bows 4 and 6 under tension bending them upwards and in convex manner. In return, the bows keep the net under horizontal tension between the two fastening portions 138 and 140.

FIG. 5 shows the installation 100 seen in profile, while FIG. 6 shows the installation 100 seen from above. In these figures, it can be seen that the first main connector 102 and the second main connector 104 lie on either side of a vertical plane P containing the net 8. Furthermore, the plane P passes through the secondary connectors 130 and 132 and via the connection parts 120 and 122.

The main connectors 102 and 104 are arranged so as to be substantially symmetrical relative to the plane P. The distance between the plane P and each of the main connectors 102 and 104 is equal to substantially half the length of one connection element 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, or 80. This distance is quite short, such that the stand extends only a short distance into each of the two playing areas demarcated by the installation. In addition, considered in projection onto the vertical plane P containing the net, the main connectors are arranged substantially halfway along the length of the net.

Furthermore, the plane P constitutes a plane of symmetry for the demarcation installation 100, and in particular for the base 2. It can be seen in particular that the plane P constitutes a plane of symmetry for the stand of lozenge-shape constituted by the third, fourth, seventh, and eighth connection elements 30, 40, 70, and 80. In particular, the intersection between the plane P and the plane Q in which the third, fourth, seventh, and eighth connection elements 30, 40, 70, and 80 extend constitutes substantially one of the diagonals of the lozenge formed by these connection elements.

In non-limiting manner, the connection elements 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 are connected to the main connectors 102 and 104, to the connection parts 120 and 122, and to the secondary connectors 130 and 132 in releasable manner. In this way, the user can put the installation into its folded position easily, and the compactness of the installation, once folded, is improved. In order to fold the installation 100 it is appropriate to release the ends of the connection elements so as to disconnect them from each of the connectors and the connection parts. Thereafter the user disconnects the bottom segments 4 a, 4 b and the top segments 6 a, 6 b from the connection means 11, 13.

Furthermore, the first secondary connector 130 and the first and sixth connection elements 10 and 10 may be held to one another by first elastic means serving to keep them together when they are disconnected. Likewise, the second secondary connector 132 and the second and fifth connection elements 20 and 50 may be held to one another by second elastic means serving to keep them together when they are disconnected. In addition, the first connection part 120 and the fourth and seventh connection elements 40 and 70 are held to one another by a first elastic member for keeping them together when they are disconnected. The second connection part 122 and the third and eighth connection elements 30 and 80 are held to one another by a second elastic member serving to keep them together when they are disconnected. Because of these elastic means of members, the connection elements and the connectors or connection parts are easily connected together and it is not possible for them to be come separated. Operations of setting up and taking down the installation are thus very simple. 

1. A demarcation installation for demarcating two playing areas, the installation comprising: a first main connector configured to connect together, first, second, third, and fourth connection elements; a second main connector configured to connect together fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth connection elements; a first bow and a second bow respectively including a first fastening portion and a second fastening portion; a first secondary connector configured to connect together the first connection element, the sixth connection element, and the first bow; a second secondary connector configured to connect together the second connection element, the fifth connection element, and the second bow; and a link extending above the ground between said fastening portions of the first and second bows; the first and second main connectors extending on either side of a vertical plane containing the link.
 2. An installation according to claim 1, wherein the first and second main connectors are configured to rest on the ground.
 3. An installation according to claim 1, wherein the third, fourth, seventh, and eighth connection elements are configured to rest on the ground.
 4. An installation according to claim 1, wherein the connection elements are substantially identical.
 5. An installation according to claim 1, wherein the third, fourth, seventh, and eighth connection elements are rods each having at least a first end.
 6. An installation according to claim 5, wherein the first ends of the fourth and seventh connection elements are connected together by a first connection part and wherein the first ends of the third and eighth connection elements are connected together by a second connection part.
 7. An installation according to claim 5, wherein the third connection element and the seventh connection element are substantially parallel, and wherein the fourth and eighth connection elements are substantially parallel.
 8. An installation according to claim 1, wherein the first, second, fifth, and sixth connection elements slope relative to a plane containing the third and seventh connection elements.
 9. An installation according to claim 8, wherein the first, second, fifth, and sixth connection elements slope relative to said plane at an angle lying in the range 15° to 45°.
 10. An installation according to claim 1, wherein the first main connector has a first top opening, a second top opening, a first bottom opening, and a second bottom opening configured to receive the first, second, third, and fourth connection elements respectively.
 11. An installation according to claim 1, wherein the second main connector has a first top opening, a second top opening, a first bottom opening, and a second bottom opening configured to receive the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth connection elements respectively.
 12. An installation according to claim 1, wherein the connection elements and the bows are connected to the main and secondary connectors in disconnectable manner.
 13. An installation according to claim 12, wherein the first secondary connector and the first and sixth connection elements are held to one another by first elastic means, enabling them to be kept together when they are disconnected, and wherein the second secondary connector and the second and fifth connection elements are held to one another by second elastic means, enabling them to be kept together when they are disconnected.
 14. An installation according to claim 12, wherein the third, fourth, seventh, and eighth connection elements are rods each having at least a first end, and wherein the first connection part and the fourth and seventh connection elements held to one another by a first elastic member, enabling them to be kept together when they are disconnected, and wherein the second connection part and the third and eighth connection elements are held to one another by a second elastic member, enabling them to be kept together when they are disconnected.
 15. An installation according to claim 1, wherein the first, third, fourth, and eighth connection elements form a lozenge.
 16. An installation according claim 1, wherein the link is a net. 